Device for removing fibers from match-sticks.



S. A. SUMMERS. DEVICE FOR REMOVING FIBER FROM MATCH STICKS. APPLICATION FILED on. 19, 1915. RENEWED DEC. 4.1917.

1 3269 X3290 Patented June 11, 1918.

SYLVESTER A. SOMMERS,

@FMQE? or SAGINAW, nronrean.

DEVICE FOR nnriovrne means rnoivi A'roHsrIoKs.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patgnted lluri e 11, 1918.

Application filed October 19, 1915, Serial Bro/56,719. Renewed Decembcr' i, 1917; Serial No. 205,432.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, Srmns'rnn A.SOM- Mons, a citizen of the United States, residing at Saginaw, in the county of Saginaw and State of Michigan, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Removing Fibers from Match- Sticks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertainsto make and use the same. This invention relates to 111atchn'1anufacturing machines and pertains more particularly to improved means wherebysmall slivers and splinters are removed "from the match sticks before the sticks are dipped;

The improvement pertains more specifically to the means for removing such slivers and splinters by burning them off the sticks While the sticks are traveling through the piatch machine on their way to the dipping ath.

The invention consists in the devices described and claimed and the equivalents thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical cross section of the guide tracks of the match machine, with a perforated splint or matchstick holder mounted thereon, the holder being shown filled with match splints and the extinguishing device being located in proper relation to the match sticks.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the burners in position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4: is a side view of the rheostat and the means by which the gas supply is automatically shut off when the match machine is stopped by the operator.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same, showing diagrammatically the connections from the rheostat to the motor.

In a match machine the splints, as is wellknown, are mounted in the perforated holder 1 forming part of the traveling belt of the machine that travels on track 2 and are slowly moved through the dipping bath and then traversed back-and-forth throu hout the length of the machine while the heads are solidifying.

It freouently happens that many of the splints carry small slivers, and it is important in the manufacture of high-grade matches that all such splinters are removed before the matches aropackedn 3 designates thematch splints many of which carry slivers, as indicated at l.

To provide means for burning away the slivers I locate" a tube 5 beneath the lower ends of the matches, the tube extending from track to track across the machine. Perforations'flare formed in the tube and through these perforations gas escapes and is ignited to form a small vertical flame 7, the tip of which is in alinement with the space between two rows of matches, as shown inFigxQ.

It occasionally happens that the burning of the slivers as the splints passove1"the row of burners sets fire to a few of the splints, but such incipient flames are extinguished by an air blast.

8 indicates a vertical plate or shield that protects the flames from the action of the air blast, the operation of which will now be described.

The blast is delivered from any suitable source through the oppositely placed air tubes 9, which direct a jet of air from side to side of the machine and across the path of travel of the splints. The plate or shield 8 prevents the blast from extinguishing or disturbing the flames of the burners.

I provide means whereby the stopping of the match machine by the operator will also automatically shut off the supply of gas to the burner. This means is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, where 10 is the gas supply pipe, 11 is the rheostat, provided with the usual lever 12 to control the supply of current to the motor that drives the match machine. The handle 12 swings through the arc of a circle and in its travel engages a forked arm 13 which. is operatively connected to the valve 14. Thus when the handle 12 is moved through its travel it engages the fork 13 to shut off or open the valve 14, as the rheostat handle is moved from a stopping to a starting position. 15 diagrammatically indicates themotor and 16 indicates the drive gear which actuates the rack 17 of the perforated holder plate 1.

By the means above described, I have produced a simple, inexpensive, yet thoroughly effective and safe device, by which the slivers are removed from the match splints and the splints are left with smooth uniform surfaces, and this result is accomplished with out any way interfering withthe action or construction of the match mach ne.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s: y

1. In a match machme having travellng holders for the match splints, means adapt ed to remove slivers from the splints by means comprising a plurality of burners arranged beneath the path of travel of the splints, each burner adapted to direct a small flame between two rows of matches, means adapted to direct a blast of air against the rows of splints after the splints have passed means comprising a plurality of burners arranged beneath the path of travel of the splints, each burner adapted to direct a small flame between two rows of matches, means adapted to direct a blast of air against the rows 01 splints after the splints have passed the burners, a baffle plate interposed between said blast means and said flames, and means, actuated by an operative member, of said machine,adapted to automatically shut off thesupply of as to said burners when the movement of t e splints is interrupted,

In testimony whereof, I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SYLYESTER A. SUMMERS. Witnesses:

Nnnnm M. ANGUS, ROY WALLIS.

Copies, of this. patent may be obtained 10; iivc cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0-? 

